BHS
Curriculum Guide 2016- 2017
Updated 8/31/2016
BERGENFIELD
HIGH SCHOOL
CURRICULUM GUIDE
2016-2017
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Table of Contents
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English courses
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Summary of Course Offerings
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Table of Contents
Guidance Counselors 5
SERVICES AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS/PARENTS 7
INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS 10
N.J.S.I.A.A. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 10
CLASS STATUS 12
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS 13
WEIGHTED SCALES 13
ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES 14
CLASS RANK 15
HONOR ROLL 15
PASS-FAIL (P or E) EVALUATION PROCEDURE 16
OPTIONS FOR DROPPING COURSES 16
NINTH GRADE ACADEMY 17
Career Paths 18
1. SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING MATH (STEM) 18
2. Health Careers Academy 22
3. Green Technology 24
ART 27
FINE ARTS 28
APPLIED ARTS - COMMERCIAL AREA 30
APPLIED ARTS - MEDIA AREA 31
APPLIED ARTS-CRAFTS AREA 33
INDEPENDENT STUDY IN ART 34
BUSINESS AND MARKETING EDUCATION 35
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION 39
ENGLISH 50
MATHEMATICS 57
WORLD LANGUAGES 65
MUSIC EDUCATION 73
PHYSICAL EDUCATION 77
SCIENCE 80
SOCIAL STUDIES 88
SPECIAL EDUCATION 96
CROSS DISCIPLINARY COURSES 97
SUMMARY OF OFFERINGS 98
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Unless Otherwise Noted Dial 201-385-8700 plus the extension listed below
Ms. Carmen Archetto, Supervisor of Mathematics and Basic Skills Ext 1258
Dr. Arthur Freiman, Director of Pupil Guidance 201-385-8700 Ext 1350
Mrs. Loretta Borrows, School Nurse Ext 1320
Mr. Tom Curry Director of Athletics/PE Ext 1401
Ms. Linda DePinto, Student Assistance Counselor Ext 1366
Ligia Alberto Director of Testing Ext 1374
Ms. Tara Schneider, Supervisor of English & Social Studies 201-385-8447 Ext 2365
Ms. Zoe Lloyd , Supervisor of World Language and ESL .Ext 1256
Mr. Robert Ragasa, Supervisor Technology Education and Business.............. Ext 1302
Mr. Brian Timmons Supervisor of Music and Art Ext 1789
Dennis Rossi Alternative School…………… 201-384-1076
Attendance Ext 1000
Bear Facts Ext 1255
Board of Education 201- 385-8801
Dean of Discipline ………………………………………………………………........Ext 1304
BHS Fax # 201 - 439-0978
Field House 201 - 385-7170
BHS Library Ext 1253
School Closing 201 - 385-9410
Yearbook 201 - 387-3896
4
Table of Contents
Summary of Courses
Bergenfield Board of Education
Dr. Joseph Amara, President
Mrs. Eileen Ryder, Vice-President
Mr. Anthony Cortez
Mr. Mark D’Esposito, Trustee
Mr. Ralph Messina, Trustee
Bergenfield Public Schools
Central Office Administration
(201 Area Code)
Mr. Christopher Tully, Interim Superintendent of Schools.......................201-385-8202
Ms. Mary Anne DeVivio Asst. Supt. Of Curriculum ..................................201-385-6250
Mr. Mark Haynes, Interim Business Administrator ..................................201-385-8801
High School Administration
201- 385 -8700
(201 Area Code)
Mr. James Fasano, Principal Ext 1301
Mr. Rob Ragasa, Asst. Principal Ext 1302
Mr. Robert Violante Dean of Discipline Ext 1304
Mr. Daren Massey Dean of Discipline.................................................................Ext 1305
Guidance Counselors
Guidance Counselor assignments are made over the summer. Every effort is made to maintain students with the same guidance counselor assigned to them in grade 10
Guidance Phone 201-385-8700
Mr. James Butler Ext 1363
Mr. Michael Smagula Ext 1377
Ms. Lauren LaPorta Ext 1378
Mrs. Melissa Yoskowitz Ext 1365
Mrs. Dana Massey Ext 1372
SCHEDULING MANUAL
Dear Student and Parents/Guardians,
Course selection is one of the single most important decisions that you can make each year in regard to education and future life plans. It is our goal that each student takes the most rigorous curriculum with which he/she can be successful. This will enable each student the best possible chance to meet his/her future life goals.
Choose your subjects wisely. Make sure you take courses that are required for graduation. Be sure that each course will be challenging for you, and take courses that will be of interest. There are numerous programs that reflect a broad scope of interests and abilities. We encourage every student to seek those learning opportunities that respect and recognize individual differences.
Each grade that you receive in a class is recorded on a transcript. We encourage every student to become involved in our programs, as they provide recreational outlets as well as vocational and avocational opportunities. Bergenfield High School takes pride in providing programs that promote intellectual, physical, social, and emotional growth.
This curriculum guide is intended to be a resource for both parents/guardians and students. If you have a question with any of its contents, please contact your child’s counselor. The guide is also available on line in the guidance section of the web site. The guide is updated throughout the year as changes are made in procedures or course offerings. Please check the on line guide for the most recent information.
Guidance counselors are a valuable resource to students and their families. We encourage students and their parents to work with their respective counselors on course selection. If any parent or student has any questions please contact the student’s guidance counselor.
It is our earnest hope that Bergenfield High School will provide many enriching experiences, and that these will be some of the happiest and most profitable years of your life.
Jim Fasano Arthur Freiman
Principal Director of Guidance
SERVICES AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS/PARENTS
1. The Open Door Policy: This policy provides the opportunity for any student, parent or resident to talk to any administrator, teacher or staff member regarding any issue, concern or problem.
Procedure: Simply go to the appropriate school of the person with whom you wish to speak. If the person is available, an immediate conference can be held. To ensure availability of the person with whom you wish to speak, please make an appointment with the appropriate office. In case of an emergency, the Main Office (201 385-8700 x 1310) will assist in directing you.
2. Child Study Team: The Board of Education provides the services of a Child Study Team to help students succeed in school. A Child Study Team consultant is affiliated with each building and he/she is available to any student in the school who may be experiencing a personal or family crisis which requires immediate attention. Some of the members of the Child Study Team whose expertise is available for students and parents are:
A. School Psychologist
B. Social Worker
C. Learning Disability Specialist
Procedure: Telephone the high school and request to speak with the Child Study Team Consultant. 201 385-6956
3. Special Education Services: Special Education classes/programs are available for students who meet specific requirements specified in New Jersey Administrative Code Section 6A - 14. Prior to referral to the child study team for possible special education services, interventions are to be implemented in the general education program.
For more information contact the student’s guidance counselor or telephone the Special Education Department (201 385-6956).
4. Guidance Counselors: Each student, grades 6-12, is assigned to a specific Guidance Counselor. Counselors are available to assist the students in decision-making processes, to learn about themselves and to make educational decisions which are best for them. They also are available to discuss problems with parents, peers, or teachers in adjusting to school in general.
Procedure: Call the student’s guidance counselor to make an appointment.
5. Student Assistance Counselor: The Student Assistance Counselor (S.A.C.) provides information, evaluation, and resource referral for assessment and/or treatment for drug/alcohol problems. The S.A.C. also provides re-entry support for students returning from treatment centers. As part of our Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention policy, copies of the policy and procedures will be made available annually to all students, parents, faculty and staff.
Procedure: Telephone (201 385-8700 x 1366)
6. Assistant Principal: The Assistant Principal function as a resource for students who wish to discuss any disciplinary, academic, or social problems that they might be experiencing.
Procedure: Telephone (201 385-8600 x 1302)
7. Dean of Discipline: The Dean of Discipline meets with students who are experiencing difficulties complying with the rules and regulations of the High School.
8. Tutoring Program: Tutoring services are provided by volunteer students from the National Honor Society, Interact, Peer Leadership, and Student Congress.
9. Part-time Employment Assistance: This service is provided through the Guidance Department. Employers needing part-time workers inform the Guidance Department, which then posts the jobs on a bulletin board in the Commons at the High School.
10. Working Papers: New Jersey State Employment Office procedures are followed to enable students who live in Bergenfield to be issued the necessary papers to obtain work.
Procedure: Telephone the Main Office (201 385-8600)
11. Health Services: A nurse is on duty from 7:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily to provide for emergency health needs of and health information to, students and staff. Annual health appraisal screenings and required physical examinations for school and sports are also scheduled through this office.
Procedure: Telephone the School Nurse at (201 385-8600 X 1320)
12. Home Instruction: In situations where, because of an illness or accident, a student is unable to attend school for two or more consecutive weeks, a teacher is sent to the home or hospital to provide instruction for the student.
Procedure: Telephone the Assistant Principal at (201 385-8600 x 1302) or the school nurse at (201 385-8700 x 1320).
13. Special Needs Transportation: Transportation to and from school is provided to students who, because of injury or disability, are unable to walk to school.
Procedure: Telephone the school nurse at (201 385-8600 x 1320).
14. Food Subsidy Assistance Program: Reduced cost or fully subsidized lunches are available for families with limited incomes.
Procedure: Telephone Board of Education (201 385-8801)
15. Drop-Out Policy: The district strives to have every student, who enters, graduate. If a student is considering dropping out of school, an exit conference is held. The purpose of the exit conference is to discuss how to have the student be successful in school. Sometimes the student and parent are convinced the only solution is to drop out. If that is the case the exit conference focus shifts to helping the student continue his/her education in an alternative setting. Exit conferences are also held for students who have reached 20 years old, the maximum age for enrolment in a public high school.
Procedure: Telephone Guidance Counselor (201-385-8700)
16. Alternative School: This is a program for students who have not been successful in the high school and are in need of a different type of setting to learn. Students are selected for this program based on input from Teachers, Guidance Counselors, Child Study Team Members and Administration.
17. 9th Grade Academy: This is a program designed to help all 9th graders adjust to the high school and be academically successful. This program is an extension of the team concept the students had in the middle school. To the maximum extent possible, each student is scheduled so that he/she has a common set of academic teachers. These teachers meet as a team to discuss student progress and develop programs to help students who are struggling. Guidance counselors and a child study team member are assigned to the house.
TITLE 6 of the NEW JERSEY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
Request to Review School Records
In the State of New Jersey you have the right to inspect school records that pertain to your child. To review these records, an Access Request Form must be completed and an appointment made. These forms are available at the administrative office of the school which your child attends. An authorized professional staff member must be present when the records of your child are inspected.
Adult students, 18 years of age or older, also have the right to inspect their own records. The parents of an adult student have the same right where the adult student is dependent upon them for support.
These records are made available to you in accordance with the provisions of Title 6 of the New Jersey Administrative Code. Copies of these provisions are available for review in all general offices within the school system.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
504 District and HS Officer
In the spirit of Title 6 of the Statutes of the State of New Jersey which became effective May 20, 1975, Bergenfield High School is striving to insure that all students will receive equal educational opportunity regardless of race, sex, disability, creed, color, religion, ancestry, national origin or social or economic status; and has instituted open and equal access to all school-sponsored courses, programs, and activities offered before, during or after school hours. The Affirmative Action , 504 Officer for the Bergenfield School District is Ms. Mary Anne DeVivio, Assistant Superintendent, 100 South Prospect Avenue, (201 385-6250). The Affirmative Action 504 Officer for Bergenfield High School is the Assistant Principal, Mr. Rob Ragasa (201 385- 8700).
INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS
Bergenfield High School is a member of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, as well as a member of the Northern Bergen Interscholastic Athletic League.
Every student in BHS is encouraged to participate in the athletic program. It is firmly believed that there is something to be gained from participation, even though a student may not be an exceptionally skilled athlete. Why not give some team the benefit of your talent and, in turn, you receive the rewards that this participation will provide?